Houston Mesa Campground is a developed, organized campground in Tonto National Forest just outside of the town of Payson, Arizona, that is tent and RV friendly. The Payson area, where Houston Mesa Campground is located, is less than a mile away from the campground, providing quick access to supplies and activities. The campsites at Houston Mesa are situated between large Ponderosa pine trees, which largely cover the area of Tonto National Forest in which the campground and the Payson area is located.
Houston Mesa Campground has 55 RV-friendly campsites and 17 tent-only campsites. In addition to the main campground, there is an adjacent equestrian campground located across Houston Mesa Road, with 29 campsites. All campsites include fire rings and access to bathrooms, showers, and trash cans.
Houston Mesa Campground – Bottom Line
Houston Mesa Campground is an average camping experience, nothing too special, nothing too terrible about it. If you are looking for a simple and easy camping destination, Houston Mesa is it, but this is by no means a roughing it, away from civilization camping experience; you are pretty much within the town of Payson, and there is a Home Depot just outside the campground.
The campsites are usually provide enough privacy and separation that you do not feel on top of the neighboring campers, but you can still often hear other campers. The campground is clean and well maintained, and the campground hosts and other campers tend too be friendly. That said, for our money we would rather go to FR 9350 Campground, which is not too far away on Highway 260, for a better tent camping experience.
Houston Mesa Campground Features
| Campground Type: | Organized |
| Number of Campsites: | 72 Campsites |
| Cost: | $20/Night |
| Use Level: | Medium |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Fire Rings: | Yes |
| Drinking Water: | Yes |
| Toilets: | Yes |
| Showers: | Yes |
| Trash/Dumpsters: | Yes |
| Hiking Access: | Yes |
| Beach/Lake Access: | No |
| RV/Trailer Length: | Not Defined |
| RV/Trailer Amenities: | Dump Station |
| Cell Phone Service: | All Major Carriers |
| Wifi: | None |
| Operating Season: | February 1st – October 31st |
| Other: | Firewood available from the campground host. |
Getting There
| Address: | |
| Geo Coordinates: | 34.27, -111.31417 |
| Nearest City/Town: | Payson, Arizona |
| Elevation: | 5200 Feet |
| Location: | Gila County, Arizona |
| Paved Road Access: | Yes |
| Proximity to Stores: | Less than 1 mile to Payson, Arizona |
| Directions: | To get to Houston Mesa Campground from Payson, Arizona, go north for 1 mile to the junction of Highway 87 (Beeline Highway) and Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road). Turn right (east) onto Forest Road 199 for 0.10 miles. The campground is on the north side of Houston Mesa Road. |
Maps & Brochures
Connect
| Phone: | Facebook: | Houston Mesa Campground Facebook Page | ||
| Web: | Tonto National Forest | Twitter: |
| Reservations: | Online Campsite Reservations |
When To Go
Fall and Spring – Houston Mesa Campground is busiest in the summertime, additionally summer monsoon storms can be violent, with high winds and rain. However, fall and spring should have moderate daytime temperatures.
What To Do
Hiking – There are many hiking trails adjacent to Houston Mesa Campground or within a short drive.